DENVER – With the lifting of the statewide stay-at-home order, more Coloradans are emerging from their homes ready to take in some of the state’s 300-plus days of sunshine.
“People are spending more time outdoors, gardening, walking, biking, hiking, running. And we’ve seen more sunburns, especially now that it's springtime,” said Dermatologist and Former President of the Colorado Dermatologic Society Dr. Gregory Papadeas.
Papadeas told Denver7 that Coloradans are spending more time outside than ever, but prolonged exposure to the sun is causing serious skin problems.
“We diagnose about 10,000 people a day, in America, with skin cancer,” said Papadeas. “There are about 20 deaths a day from melanoma. Our practice sees about eight to 10 melanomas a week."
Papadeas said to avoid being a part of those statistics, everyone should wear sunscreen SPF 30 or greater, long sleeves, and a wide brim hat.
According to Papadeas this is especially important between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun is the highest in Colorado.
Papadeas said for those who already have a skin growth and are concerned, they should follow the "ABCDEs" of skin cancer. If the following apply, contact your dermatologist.:
- A: For asymmetry.
- B: For border irregularity.
- C: For color variation
- D: For a diameter of 6 millimeters or greater
- E: For evolving and changing shape
